Union County High School football is entering a new era under head coach John Netherton, who aims to turn around the program after two seasons with just two wins. The Patriots, based in Maynardville, Tenn., will face one of the toughest regions in the state, with Netherton-Maryville College alum and East Tennessee native-vowing to build momentum. The team’s confidence stems from a belief they are the most underrated squad in their region, with players like sophomore Colton Martin and senior Bryton Beeler predicting surprise victories. Martin said, 'We’re going to catch a lot of people by surprise. We’re going to show out.' Beeler added, 'They’ll come out like, 'Oh, we beat them last year by about 50,' and they’re not going to play hard, and we’re going to surprise them.' Netherton emphasized the renewed energy around the program, noting the challenge of overcoming a school history with just one winning season. 'We’ve talked extensively about how we’re going to do this thing,' he said. The Patriots’ season opener is set for Friday, August 21, at Gibbs High School, marking their first step in a bid to disrupt regional expectations.